The Portland daily press., 1887-03-12
MOURNING BROOKLYN.
The Public Services Over Henry
Ward Beecher.
Very impressive Ceremonies Held In
Plymouth Church.
Large Overflow Meetings Held IL
other Churches.
An Account of the Decorations
and Services.

New YORK, March 11.-All Brooklyn was
in mourning today over the death of Rev.
| Henry Ward Beecher The public officers
were closed, business was entirely suspend
ed and memorial services were held In
large number Of churches in the Vicinity of
Plymouth Church. The uptown streets
looked deserted. As early as o'clock Full
ton avenue was thorned with people hurry
ing in the direction Of Plymouth Church.
Lines of police were stationed at the ends of
the block on which the church is situated,
and no one was allowed to pass through the
lines unless heShad ticket. Before o'clock
the line on Orange street was two blocks
long, three abreast. The side streets were
packed with people who hung around hoping
that they might be able to get In without
The members of Plymouth Company, G, of
the Thirteenth Regiment, of which Mr.
Beecher was Chaplain, were stationed at the
doors OF the church and in the lecture room.
While the vast crowd of people were gather
ing outside of the church, the lady members
OF the congregation were working within,
dressing the pulpit and casket with flowers.
Inc whole interior was turned into perfect
flower garden, and fragrant perfume of
roses pervaded the air. The walls, galleries
and organ were covered with evergreen,
palms and Gala lilies. The reading desk
was covered with French roses and vines, as
was also the chair in which Mr.. Beecher sat
1or SO many years. In the centre of the or
gan loft was floral emblem in the shape of
a triangle, on the top of which were perched
Two wnite doves with white ribbons in their
Dllls. The pulpit was loaded down with
flowers and floral emblems sent by friends
ana diterent organizations. The casket was
placed on catafalque of white roses, white
carnations and smilax, directly in front of
/. the reading desk. There was tnothing to in
dlcate the presence of death except the still
ness Wnlcn peryaded the room and the hushed
conversation OF the workers. The church
a funeral.
1t was nearly 10 o'clock before the doors
We're thrown open to those who had been
waiting without the doors impatiently for
nearly three hours. The people entered by
tne orange street entrance and were shown
70 their seats by the ushers. During the
tlme that the audience were being shown to
tneir seats the organist played low, sweet
music upon the organ. The first four seats
on On tne right OF the centre aisle were reserved
for the relatives of the deceased. Mr. Beech
ers family were not present, and the family
pew was filled with flowers. Mrs. Beecher
was in the church for few minutes before
tne doors were open, and left with her sons
pe1qTe p 81 the crowd entered. Rev. DR.. Charles
ID. Hail conducted the services, which were
very simple, and delivered Ga long address,
which was listened to with breathless atten-
ton. An opportunity was then given the
congregation to view the lremains and it Is |
safe to say that not less than 10000 people |
formed in line around the church to take a |
last view iof the great preacher Overflow |
services were held according to programme. |
IN the First Presbyterian Church on Henry |
street, in the Frst Baptist Church on Clinton |
street, In the Church of Our Saviour in Pier |
repont street and in the Sands Street Meth |
odist Church. all of which are :close by Ply |
mouth Church.
Another Tribute to the Preacher.